[SiThlord]

I have a truck and recently got a trailer (18 foot dove tail). I have seen general tips about the weight distribution of the trailer/gross tongue weights but any quick tips on easy or more efficient ways to know where to place the car on the trailer? Is it just simple math and levers? Just looking for some crafty veteran tips if any...


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[Lou64]

What are you using as a tow vehicle? Conventional wisdom says as close to the front as possible if your tow rig can handle it. Too much weight on the back of the trailer is bad, like catastrophic.

http://rebrn.com/re/weight-distribution-dynamics-2869654/

 

[SiThlord]

What are you using as a tow vehicle? Conventional wisdom says as close to the front as possible if your tow rig can handle it. Too much weight on the back of the trailer is bad, like catastrophic.

http://rebrn.com/re/weight-distribution-dynamics-2869654/

I understand the general concept of tongue weight (I think). And the tow vehicle is a 2500 cummins- should be able to handle it tongue weight wise. This is season will be my first time loading a ccar on a trailer though so just want to be sure haha


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[RobertJ]

The front end of the ST is really low. Make sure the ramps have as little of an incline as possible. It may be helpful to even put the trailer on a slight incline to reduce the angle of the ramps.

 

[SiThlord]

The front end of the ST is really low. Make sure the ramps have as little of an incline as possible. It may be helpful to even put the trailer on a slight incline to reduce the angle of the ramps.

Yeah it's got some nice low rise ramps


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[GronkDaSlayer]

Depends on the tongue weight of the trailer. If you have an enclosed trailer for instance, it's tongue weight may be around 300lbs.
Then, you need to know what that weight will be once the car is loaded. As long as you don't exceed the max tongue weight for your hitch, you'll be good.

I have one of those: Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 2,000-lb Capacity Sherline Tools 5780
It's quite useful. Your Cummins has most likely a Class III hitch so it can handle a fairly high tongue weight.

You can also get a weight distribution system which will definitely help. Most come with anti-sway as well.
The last thing to remember are the tires on your towing vehicle. Make sure that they have a decent load capacity.

 

[SiThlord]

Depends on the tongue weight of the trailer. If you have an enclosed trailer for instance, it's tongue weight may be around 300lbs.
Then, you need to know what that weight will be once the car is loaded. As long as you don't exceed the max tongue weight for your hitch, you'll be good.

I have one of those: Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 2,000-lb Capacity Sherline Tools 5780
It's quite useful. Your Cummins has most likely a Class III hitch so it can handle a fairly high tongue weight.

You can also get a weight distribution system which will definitely help. Most come with anti-sway as well.
The last thing to remember are the tires on your towing vehicle. Make sure that they have a decent load capacity.

Thank you! Yeah the tires are good. It's an open dove tail trailer. That tool looks pretty handy- might buy it!

I got through the wheel straps to go with it. I think I should be okay. About 3 months until first track day... couldn't be here soon enough lol


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[Joseph]

Here is a great towing resource: Towing 101 | Chapter 10 | Towing Safety

 

[SiThlord]

Here is a great towing resource: Towing 101 | Chapter 10 | Towing Safety

Thank you. As soon as the snow melts off I will be doing some loading practice and testing lol


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[LockeLamora33]

Here is my favorite example of how weight distribution affects your trailer.
http://i.imgur.com/dYz2tCE.gifv

 

[brian60]

Here is my favorite example of how weight distribution affects your trailer.
http://i.imgur.com/dYz2tCE.gifv

Same. I always send this to people who try to argue that it "doesn't matter"

 

[DevNul]

The front end of the ST is really low. Make sure the ramps have as little of an incline as possible. It may be helpful to even put the trailer on a slight incline to reduce the angle of the ramps.

bring a couple 2x6's to help balance out the ramps when loading. Works nicely with those Uhaul trailers.

 

[SiThlord]

bring a couple 2x6's to help balance out the ramps when loading. Works nicely with those Uhaul trailers.

For sure. Thanks man


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[grindMARC]

The front end of the ST is really low. Make sure the ramps have as little of an incline as possible. It may be helpful to even put the trailer on a slight incline to reduce the angle of the ramps.

You mean put the trailer on a DECLINE, right?

 

[lolubeenpwned]

A spotter is invaluable when loading\unloading too. I drove into the front of my buddies trailer when loading alone myself last fall, scuffed up the bottom lip on the front bumper real good.

 

[SiThlord]

A spotter is invaluable when loading\unloading too. I drove into the front of my buddies trailer when loading alone myself last fall, scuffed up the bottom lip on the front bumper real good.

Yeah I'll probably just con one of my track buddies into that duty. I guess I'm nervous about strapping it down honestly. Never really done it before. Watched some videos. Do you cross straps?


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[lolubeenpwned]

I only moved about 60 miles, so I never did anything crazy. Just ran big straps through the wheels and made sure the straps pulled in the right direction. Set your e-brake HARD and put it in nuetral.

I pull my plates when I'm trailering also, along with while racing. Never know who is watching. *ninjas*

 

[n0m4d]

Set your e-brake HARD and leave it in gear.

I know this post is a couple months old but just in case someone comes across it, do not leave you car in gear while trailing it. There is inevitable, maybe slight, movement of your car forward and back, as your truck drives along bumpy roads, stops, accelerates, etc... The last thing your car needs is that movement transferring through the drivetrain to the unlubricated engine. Imagine the pistons moving up and down an inch for hours on end with no oil on the cylinder walls, not to mention the other transmission and engine parts doing the same. Trailer in neutral, do set the ebrake. Straps through the wheels work best and one loose chain from the trailer to the car's chassis just in case the straps break away.

I trailer race cars a lot, heading from NH to NJMP this week.

 

[SiThlord]

I know this post is a couple months old but just in case someone comes across it, do not leave you car in gear while trailing it. There is inevitable, maybe slight, movement of your car forward and back, as your truck drives along bumpy roads, stops, accelerates, etc... The last thing your car needs is that movement transferring through the drivetrain to the unlubricated engine. Imagine the pistons moving up and down an inch for hours on end with no oil on the cylinder walls, not to mention the other transmission and engine parts doing the same. Trailer in neutral, do set the ebrake. Straps through the wheels work best and one loose chain from the trailer to the car's chassis just in case the straps break away.

I trailer race cars a lot, heading from NH to NJMP this week.

I never thought of that but that is a good point. Since posting this I have trailered the st 3 times to track days and all has gone well so far. However SIRI did take me down the sketchiest dirt road to get to Watkins Glen. Lol


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[lolubeenpwned]

I know this post is a couple months old but just in case someone comes across it, do not leave you car in gear while trailing it. There is inevitable, maybe slight, movement of your car forward and back, as your truck drives along bumpy roads, stops, accelerates, etc... The last thing your car needs is that movement transferring through the drivetrain to the unlubricated engine. Imagine the pistons moving up and down an inch for hours on end with no oil on the cylinder walls, not to mention the other transmission and engine parts doing the same. Trailer in neutral, do set the ebrake. Straps through the wheels work best and one loose chain from the trailer to the car's chassis just in case the straps break away.

I trailer race cars a lot, heading from NH to NJMP this week.

Smarty McSmarty here makes a lot of sense. Edited my post to reflect. Thanks for the help @n0m4d.